I just ordered this from Dayspring Gifts...it is in the "Christmas sale" section at half-off! Just wanted you to know, in case you want one too!! I have been wanting a card display and think this could be used other times than Christmas!!
What do you think?

Here I Am

I hope everyone has had a lovely Christmas and enjoying some time to relax and compose yourselves before beginning a New Year!
Here is a card I made recently for a friend undergoing surgery. Some day I will find the inside of this card and post it, but the sentiment inside says, "Pulling for you."
Thanks for stopping by...I appreciate your visit!

Cherry Cobbler makes A Debut

My much anticipated Cherry Cobbler paper kept disappearing on me...so I finally ordered some "more"...although who knows maybe I just thought I had ordered it, and never did. I had the ink pad to match! Anyway, using Waltzingmouse Stamps, I made my first card, a "thank you" card for Christmas. The card base is Basic Grey's "Jovial" with red nailheads in the corners and accented with pretty paper flowers from my friend, Charlene. The second card is a cheery Christmas card using bold striped paper from my stamp store and pretty miniature prima roses and ribbon. The spellbinders tags and Waltzingmouse stamps nest perfectly together.
I am still very much in the Christmas stamping mode. This time of year is so special, I refuse to move on to any other holiday, just enjoying the beauty of this Christmas season.
Thanks for looking today. Hope you are staying warm and enjoying the coziness of hearth and home, the love of family and friends. Those are the most treasured gifts.

Chickadee Christmas

Today's card was inspired by Lisa (LisaADD) on Splitcoast Stampers. I have had this chickadee on my shelf uninked and Lisa's card gave me the nudge I needed to Christmas up this chickadee~I made a lovely loopy bow to add in the corner, and colored some pearls with a red copic marker to add as little berries!

Well, everyone is gone this weekend doing their own thing. My youngest daughter is on an airplane right now from New York City to Boston. She called me from the plane saying she may not make the connecting flight and I could hear the pilot saying over the speaker that it was going to be "bumpy and miserable" flight. My husband is driving through snow covered passes and will stop in Denver and then meet her at the airport. Those connections are tricky, so I hope he doesn't have a late night of it. Our older daughter went for a weekend skiing for girls in Vail and will be driving back today. So this mama chickadee is in her nest, trying not to fret and staying busy doing a little "feathering of the nest" today!

Warm Winter Wishes

Good Friday afternoon!! I wanted to take a break in my day and show you some of my favorite things this time of year. My card is a "window" card, using the "Sweets of the Season" stamp set from Flourishes! I love the gingerbread men (women in this case) in this set, and paired it with the sentiment "Friends warm the heart" to make two "girlfriends." I love how this turned out, and hope it brings a smile to your face. The red ruffled ribbon and red nailheads are from Flourishes also. I used scalloped square nestabilities to make my window frame and a Martha Stewart doily. Stacy (Twinshappy on SCS) gave a tutorial a few weeks ago on how to make these, and this was my attempt. The little girls are dressed up with coat buttons made all white and puffy and stickles! This is for this month's challenge to make a "Winter White" card, mostly white with a touch of another color. I think it is no surprise my touch of color is red today!!
The backdrop for this card was a decorated Christmas tree I have in my kitchen...I love this tree and decorated it with this wide checked gingham I found at a local florist along with some tiny utensil ornaments and sugar cookies! It sits on my kitchen table this time of year.
Just sharing a little of what I've been up to...how about you?

Making a List and Flourishes Challenge

Hope you are having a blessed Sunday! I decided to share with you part of my planned small gifts to my ladies I am a "mentor Mom" to in our church. These are list makers, labeled "Holiday planners." The first is done in traditional red and golds with the candy cane striped twine on the buttons, and the second with non-traditional lavenders and aquas. The red and gold is stamped with sentiments from the Papertrey Ink set made just for these notebooks.
The mitten stamp is Flourishes, "Winter Wishes" colored in copics, then white shimmery ric rac is added along with aqua buttons topped with a snowflake and some bling. The doilies are Martha Stewart and are the perfect size to fit these Papertrey Ink notebooks. I used a template to cut the notebooks out and scor tape to glue the inserts of lined paper. They take a bit of time, but are so cute when finished!
Thank you for stopping by, I am still in the process of making Christmas cards and projects. They are my favorite to make, so mailing will still be awhile.
I am not in a hurry to get it all done, I would much rather take my time and enjoy the process. Life is hurried enough this time of year, don't you think??

Little Christmas Cardinal

Today is "Featured Stamper" on Splitcoast Stampers and Kris, SCS name: Krischir, was the chosen stamper! I adored her gallery, and decided to CASE one of her cards for today's submission.
A friend of mine sent me this stamp set as blog candy, and I had yet to ink it up until I saw it on another friend's blog!! What would we do without our friends?
Thanks for popping in...this is a busy week for so many and I appreciate your taking a peek here.
Have a blessed day!

Less is More and Becoming Unglued

Good Saturday afternoon!
I am in need of a few sympathy cards, and wanted to include this in this week's Sisters In Christ challenge: Less is More
here. My apologies for the darkness of these photos. I had a couple of mishaps with my camera and as of now, am surprised it is even working, as I dumped an entire glass of water on the camera and dock just prior to taking these.
Grace Nywening chose the scripture and has a really good and thought-provoking devotional this week. The scripture is John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease." I would ask that you would visit the link and read it, rather than my comments as I could not add anything to what she has alreay said so wonderfully!!
Anyway, the first card is showing the less, the second, with just the addition of the ribbon around the center panel, pearls on the main image and the added border along the bottom, is my more version. This card is one of my favorite color combinations, so soothing and peaceful. Please, since the photo is not well-lit, click on the picture for a larger view. The background is a paper that I love with aqua tones called "Soft Stone" by Papertrey Ink. I have not found any other color that works as well, in my opinion.
So what to do when you want to become unglued?! Every once in awhile, I need to take a card apart, even if it is just a panel that I forgot to add a ribbon to (as is the case with my second card...) do you risk ripping it apart and ruining the entire card? Heavens, no!! I use this product, Un-Du, and have for many years, it removes adhesive without damaging your inks in any way. I took a picture to share, it has saved many a card and scrapbook page for me! I have had a difficult time finding this in stores, but I know it is also available online. I hope this tidbit of information is helpful for someone reading this.
The stamps used for these cards is Waltzingmouse "Victorian Frippery" and SU!"Thoughts adn Prayers" for the sentiment. The center panel is SU!'s paper, "Presto Patterns;" you just add ink and have an immediate relief pattern.
Thanks for stopping by today and enjoy your weekend!

Snowman Love

I had been waiting in happy expectancy for a stamp order to arrive this week...this precious image is Precious Innocence...isn't she sweet? Admittedly I had a bit of difficulty finding the right shade of paper to go with my copics to go with my designer paper...but I think the contrast looks pretty good. The pink background was stamped in versamark and white craft ink with random snowflakes to blend the colors a little more. I clipped off two pom poms from some pom pom lace to add to the little girl's hat and added some Flower Soft "Polar White" to the hat bands and more Polar White and Martha Stewart Holiday glitter to the base for "snow." We actually have the real stuff outside, but it's not this sparkly today!
Wishing you a very blessed Sunday and thanks for dropping by. Oh, this is for a "Musical Challenge" from Dani Dell on SCS...the first time I have participated. The song was "Chain of Love."

Teapot Tuesday and my Stamp a Stack Christmas Cards

Is it Tuesday yet? I am late, as always, to the Teapot Tuesday party...but this week the destination is a hospice organization in Austin, Texas, and I couldn't miss sending a card to such a wonderful organization! You can view Cindy (Mothermark's) teapot Tuesday story by clicking on the black and white polka dotted teapot on my sidebar to read and laugh!!

The rest of the cards are from a Christmas card stamp-a-stack I attended over the weekend, at my demo, Carn's house. This was only 3 of the cards we made, I still have one more to make up! I don't have any of these stamps, so it is really nice to have a variety of cards to add to my small stash, and of course, I got home and had to add a silver pearl here, or some glitter there. The snowman was made of punches, and I am so punched challenged, I tell you, I had glue stuck everywhere. So if it were not for this class, I am sure my punches would be underused!
Tell me, which is your favorite of the Christmas designs? I'd really like to know!
We had snow last night, and this morning, a blanket of gentle peace covered the ground. So pretty!!
Thanks for stopping in, I've got French Roast on the menu, would you like a cup?

Hugs for a Friend

This card is not for a challenge or a cause...just me stamping because I want to! I love this Mo's Digital image...the dog reminds me so much of my Corgi...who by the way, is lame in one leg today. I am hoping it will go away, as he has had it before and it does.
Anyway, I have several friends who are going through some tough times right now...so this hug is for them...you know who you are!
This image was copic colored and white fine tulle was added as the bow at the top. The flowers were "borrowed" off a card I received over a year ago from another friend...they were the perfect touch. Does anyone else remake cards? I do it all the time.
Wishing you a day of sunshine and a hug from someone close!
Thanks for stopping by today!

My little "Hope Tote"

As many of you already know, I was just recently visiting my parents in Grand Junction as my Dad underwent knee replacement surgery and mom was transferred to a care center. Dad's surgery went well, and he was transferred to the care center a few days later to join mom. Although on different wings they are "together" and each can encourage the other while there. The plan is for Dad to finish up rehab to the point of being able to go back into the home and not only care for himself, but also do the wheelchair transfers needed for mom to return. That is the challenge ahead of him!
I am going to include the address where you may mail a card if you're moved to do so at the end of this post!
Thanks to my friend, Cindy, (Mothermark,) this week's Teapot Tuesday destination was none other than my home town to Grand Junction, Colorado!! My parents will be deluged with cards from all over the country encouraging them, lifting their spirits, brightening their days and I am sure the staff's and anyone who crosses their paths!! Thank you to all the "Tea Potters" who are sending cheery cards their way!!
My sample for this week did not follow Mothermark's story or sample, but I wanted to make this little tote and a set of cards to include. I saw this tote on Stacy (Twinshappy) blog found here. I loved the size of the cards this was intended to hold (4x4) and used my favorite SU! paper to make a set of cards. This tote is made from a clear acrylic box cut in half!! What a fun concept, then I used nestabilities four to cover the front and back.
Here's a silly thing I did though, after attaching the handle in brads and scor-tape, I wasn't able to take any of the note cards out!! So I had to remove the handle and make a new one, and this time I left it really long so the cards could be removed!
You can see this week's Teapot Tuesday challenge by my wonderful friend, Cindy here!
If you scroll down to the bottom of her post, you will be able to view the one-of-a-kind personalized card that Cindy is so good at making: it has a "picture" of me and our two daughters with our names on it!! How special is that!! The story and the cards can also be viewed on SCS's home page by looking under Tuesday's heading. I'll include a post later on my next visit to see my parents of all the cards!!

Ok, here is the address:

Joyce and Roy Cotton
C/O Mantey Heights Care Center
2825 Patterson Road
Grand Junction, CO 81506

Tags and Tots!!

I have two quick projects I needed to get on here...the first one is a complete and shameless CASE from Sharon Johnson's No Time to Stamp blog! (Please click on my sidebar blog favorites). I needed a few baby cards for the women I am a "mentor mom" to in my church's support group for moms of preschoolers. This paperby Webster's Pages is beautiful and vintage, but has always perplexed me how to maximize it for a regular A2 size card. This has two prints on the front, and then the scraps decorating the inside. The ribbon is a beautiful drapey silk from Sharon's
Stamp Simply Ribbon store. She has a wonderful selection of ribbons that I just droole over, plus stamps, papers, and more!
The second project is a Christmas tag for Waltzingmouse's "Tag, You're It" challenge. I used a SU! set, embossed the cardinal in burgundy embossing powder, covered the tag with pretty Jovial papers by Basic Grey, added some Baker's twine and a button...this is a hodge podge of products and I love the way it turned out...but the recipient better not throw it out as this took as long as a card to make!!

Thank you for the encouraging words for my parents in my last post!! I so appreciate those and the prayers...thankfully Dad's surgery went well and he and my Mom will be at the Care Center for at least a month, so a long recovery ahead! I was so glad to be able to go and see them for a week and am sure I'll be back before long!

Hope you're having a great mid-week...and thanks so much for stopping by!!

Hope You Can Cling To

Well, I am on my way over the mountains to take care of some "business" at home. My Dad is being admitted to the hospital on Tuesday for his second total knee replacement surgery. My Mom will be admitted tomorrow to the care center waiting for my Dad to join her. I am thankful that between my Dad, family, and local health services, my parents have been able to live at home. With Mom in a wheelchair, she has been helped tremendously with home health providing everyday care needs like showers...but now that Dad won't be there to help, she has opted to go there. The thing about my Mom is...she is a blessing wherever she goes. She is cheerful, sunny, encouraging, gentle...my only regret in this visit is I will be sharing her with the care staff instead of able to spend some one-on-one time which is very rare! (as in not once in the last 20 years. So I am feeling a bit sentimental right now.
Anyway, it will be good to be there and help out for a few days!
Today's card is for two challenges on Splitcoast Stampers (SCS)...one by my friend, Cindy, (Mothermark), for this month's Breast Cancer Awareness drive..."Hope you can cling to." What a fun challenge, "Let's Dabble in some Scrabble" make a square card with at least 4 squares and some letters...well I got some of that right! Oh, and of course pink...and today's inspiration to be inspired by this cookie site here.

My inspiration cookie is the top row, second from the left! And it is guilty, I tell ya, of making me hungry for one. Now, aren't you glad I identified the culprit?
Thanks for stopping in...until next time~

Emerging Leaves

It's been a beautiful fall here...but the thing about this wonderful season in Colorado is it can all be over too soon! If we have a drenching rain, or a couple of very windy days...poof...it is over! So while I am thankful for the beauty inherent in this season, my gratitude is not based on the changing weather patterns, or the seasons, but on those things which do not shift with the changing winds, but are anchored deep in my soul. My faith, my love for family, my trust in a good God that sometimes allows bad things to happen for the purpose of growing me up and establishing my deeper in His word and His promises.
This card is for two challenges, the Flourishes October sketch challenge here, and Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge this week to make a thank you card. You can click on the SSC blog on my sidebar to view the entire challenge!
The stamped background in my oval is Flourishes "Thank You" set, the Leaf swag is SU! Country Blessings...and the technique is "emerging color" found on this week's Gina K's Stamp TV. I used Tim Holtz distress inks for the colors.
Thanks for stopping by, and wishing you a day full of blessings!

My Daughter

 

I had a great time experimenting with my camera and trying to capture the changing seasons...and with a subject as pretty as this, it made my job much easier!
This is our daughter, Erin, who is in her junior year at college and living away from home. My time with her is pretty special!

Splendor in Steamboat

 

Just wanted to share one of my photographs taken around Steamboat Springs...caught a close-up of one of the last of the Autumn leaves clinging to the branch on a crisp cool day!

Hopeful Daisies

Today's card was made for two challenges. The Flourishes newsletter issued a challenge in conjunction with World Card Making Day to make a card any other size than a typical A2. This card is 4 1/4 x 6 1/2. There were extra entries given if the card had pink and also had a ribbon. I think I got the pink in, can you see it? You can find the challenge here.
The second challenge is this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch challenge here.
For my card, I used the Flourishes stamp set, Gerber Daisies and SU! for the sentiment. The cute button is handmade from Tessa Ann's etsy shop. The image was colored with various shades of copics, and I used a different method for the flower centers, you just pounce the marker lightly, which I did with two shades of pink. I left some spots white and then also went over with a signo gel pen to add a few more white spots. I like the way this highlights the flower centers. Scoring was added to frame the image.
Thanks for stopping by...we have a cloudy day here and a bit cooler weather. A perfect day to be here visiting with you!

Sweet Sunday Sketch

If this card looks familiar, scroll down to my previous post and card. I had these papers out and had just received a box of stamping tool goodies, meaning no new stamps, but lots of fun tools. Itching to try them out, I used my Tim Holtz embossing folders in large swirls and my Nestabilities new Blossoms die to frame this cute latte image from Stampin Up! I also used some crochet lace from the Flourishes store and Karen Giron's sketch on her blog, "The Sweetest Thing."
Just wanted to give a recommendation for stamp supplies like these on overstock.com...I have always ordered from them, but just recently discovered they carry the nestabilities by Spellbinders and a lot of other stamps and supplies...and best of all, their shipping is always only $2.95. Not that I am advertising for anyone, I just like to pass on a good deal when I see it!
Thanks for stopping by...I hope you like my card, I was still inspired by these colors and am happy with the way it translated to coffee and a cute little sentiment, "Sending warm thoughts your way."

Tilda Stamped and Revamped!

Good morning!
This Tilda card has been shelved for a week now. You know how you go through your closet with the changing seasons and literally have nothing to wear? That was what my Tilda needed...she had been originally cast in a lacy number with those round white doilies and this big 'ol flower and just seemed dwarfed!! I had put her on the shelf wondering who I could send her to when I received some of this pretty crochet lace in the mail! So, as habit with me, I ripped Tilda off the doily and decided to try a diminutive ruffle with pearls to give her a bit more presence...and paired her with this background damask...and now I think she is ready to mail!! Sometimes our wardrobes and accessories just need a bit of revamping...mine needs a complete overhaul!
My card today is for the Just Magnolia Challenge to use lace on your card. This ruffle is so easy to do with a strip of scor-tape. I am glad I tried it out! The pearls have those Stampin' Up glue dots underneath to keep them anchored. I used my paper piercing tool (also Stampin' Up) to place them. It is sharp and dangerous, but really handy when it comes to placing small objects!
So I am off to Macy's today because Tilda is looking better than me! Thanks for your visit, have a blessed day!

September Stamp Club cards

Good morning! I wanted to share two of the cards we made at my monthly Stamp Club last night. This first card was made in the prettiest blue, using a one inch square punch and each square was either stamped in blue or embossed on the blue in white detail powder. This is so striking with the ribbon treatment and I frayed my twine. (I added the frayed twine, it is the only thing on this card that is my own doing...) Ya know, usually the only addition that is mine to the card is the part that I cover up due to a major goof!!



This second card is a Fall Thanksgiving using the Cajun Craze cardstock (love that color!) with the leaves hand cut and double mounted on square punches, and then the green leaves from the two-step bird punch were interwoven to add a dash of color to the warm rich hues of Fall! So much detail, punches, cutting, embossing, and an easy to do border made the inside more interesting also!
Well, lots of fun last night...thanks so much to my demo, Carn, and the women there!!
I'll have another one to show you tomorrow...my favorite!!

Inspiration 24-7

Good morning!
I wanted to share a card I made over the weekend. This was just for fun, (isn't all stamping?)...but here I mean there were no challenges or deadlines involved.
This large bag was purchased at Barnes & Noble last year around Christmas. I was drawn to the colors and design, and it inspired this card. Today's card was taken from the side of the bag, the beautiful crisp white damask print set against the rich cranberry...ooh love!!
I used the Friends 24-7 for my card, taking the damask and flower and white embossing over PTI's scarlet background paper. The bird was stamped in scarlet ink, and the SU! large Very Vintage wheel rolled across the bottom portion. A simple pearl and taffeta ribbon adornment, and there you have it!
I am always finding inspiration in different places, where do you find your stamping inspiration?

Teapot Tuesday on a Wednesday!

This card was made for this week's Teapot Tuesday Challenge on Splitcoast Stampers! You can read about the challenge by clicking on the polka dot teapot on my sidebar and reading Cindy's (Mothermark on SCS) story and the destination station!
This week the cards are being mailed to a fellow SCS'er who is struggling with chemo therapy sessions.
Having had several family members who in the past year have undergone several surgeries for cancer, I feel a lot of empathy for people undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, and special "diets."
I used the "polish stone" technique for the background, it is so pretty in person. The color combo I used was SU's! wild wasabi, ballet blue, and lovely lavender.
I decided to make two of these as I have lots of occasions for this particular stamp!
Thanks for popping in to see me...I always appreciate your visit and love reading your comments!

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge~by Me!

 

I am so excited to be the guest designer this month for the Flourishes Timeless Tueaday challenge!! As the guest designer, I was asked to submit a fun challenge and make a card to accompany it.
For the challenge if you already have Flourishes stamps, by all means, use them...but if not, play along anyway!
You may visit the Flourishes Newsletter to read more about it, and submit your cards.


The Challenge:

Summer Sojourn

With the last days of summer, it is time to bid farewell to long languishing days and warm endless nights! The school bells are ringing and children are catching the bus (or mom's carpool) all over this land!
We stampers are always looking ahead to the next project, hailing in the next holiday...but this week before we wave our final good-byes to summer's end...let's take one last backward glance. This week's Tuesday Challenge is to capture a memory of this summer in your card. Was it canning the last fruits of the garden, berry picking, a summer trip to the ocean or mountains, family celebrations...whichever conjurs up a memory to you, put it in your card. Then along with your card, share your memory with the rest of us stampers so we can celebrate with you!!
Have fun creating!!

I just recently received this set, "Humming Along" from Flourishes, and knew right away it would get a lot of use. This spring, a family member unexpectedly sent me a one-of-a-kind patented hummingbird feeder made in Virginia. We took it to our mountain retreat in Colorado and I filled it and hung it on our small deck. It took a couple of days for the hummingbirds to find it, but once they did, it was so fun to watch. The birds were the smaller varieity, dipping and diving each other, but what really tickled me was they could perch on the edge and be still. Up until then, I had only seen them in flight, so it was a treat to view their full beauty and just how tiny they were! I was actually able to capture them in a photograph! So that was one of my many summer memories, just the simple joy of watching God's handiwork in nature!!

Stamps: Flourishes "Humming Along"
Paper: PTI white, SU! Presto Patterns, Bazill Pink, Basic Grey 6x6 pad (Lemonade)
Ink: Baja Breeze, Soft Sky
Accessories: White satin striped ribbon SU!, Labels 8 Nestabilities, Little Yellow School Bus stick pins, beads from SU! Pretties Kit, Basic Grey rhinestones,Circle Nestabilities

Thanks for stopping in, hope you will participate in the challenge!
Thanks so much Flourishes, for the opportunity to be guest designer this month!!

The balm of Friendship

It is Sunday, and that means a new Stamping Sisters in Christ challenge! This week the Lovely Linda encouraged us with her words on friendship and the accompanying scripture. You can visit their blog here. Linda's verse was
Proverbs 27:17
"As iron sharpens iron, so a friends sharpens a friend."

I just recently received my first ever WaltzingMouse stamps order...these are "nestability friendly" stamps meaning they are designed to fit into the nestabilities perfectly. Using Webster's Pages paper and this wonderful pink silk wide ribbon, this card was very easy to fashion! This ribbon reminds me of first proms and white gazebos with pink roses, and all things pure and innocent! The sentiment is one that drew me to this stamp...friendship is indeed a balm to the soul!~! The challenge was to add metal to your card, this ribbon slider is from the Flourishes store.
Thanks for stopping in and I wish you a blessed Sunday!

Serene Christmas

Today's card is my submission for this month's Christmas challenge by Flourishes Stamp Company! The challenge this month was to make a flat card, one that is mailable with one stamp. Now it didn't say the stamp had to be 44 cents postage, but that is what I think they are going for.
I have just recently received this set, Forest of Trees, and decided to create a circle mask using my nestabilities and sponging a soft sky ink around the inside perimeter. My image was inked and then a darker marker was thumped for color dimension, then spritzed and finally stamped on Flourishes watercolor paper.
I added some icicle stickles to the tree and some gingham ribbon around the corners attached with scor tape.
The sentiment was then added (holding my breath, I might add!)
I love the simplicity of this, although it took me a few tries to get the spritzing right on the paper.
Hope you enjoy! One card down...many more to go!!